Cyclone is a status effect that causes the afflicted units to be sent to the air for a short time, completely disabling the unit and rendering it invulnerable to most sources of damage. Some cyclones remove debuffs from allies and buffs from enemies.

Ethereal is a status effect that causes a unit to be completely immune to physical damage abilities, but is unable to attack and takes bonus magical damage. Ethereal units can still cast spells and move.

Stuns are the most common and most dependable kind of disable. A Hero under the effect of a stun is unable to move, attack, use items, or use abilities until it wears off. Stuns will also interrupt any channeling abilities, such as using a Town Portal Scroll. May also include knockback, including all of its variants listed below.

Shackle abilities are stuns that attach the target to the caster, forcing them to move with them. In some situations they may also disable the caster, by being channeled or by slowing the casting hero.